Focusing on strengths to enable high performance

Annual performance reviews

Focusing on strengths during performance reviews to enable high performance

We conclude our series on getting ready for annual performance reviews in our Coaching Café this week. This week we turn our attention to focusing on strengths during the performance review to enable high performance.

Research suggests a focus on strengths during the performance review conversation can have significant benefits. Furthermore, in our practical experience, we see this in our every-day coaching. Therefore, this week Natalie returns to be joined by Paula-Jones Hunt our Resident HR specialist to talk about how to unlock the benefits. Particularly, of a strengths-based approach to the annual performance review in your workplace.

Listen to the Coaching Cafe podcasts

What does the research say?

Interestingly, it was a study from the Corporate Leadership Council, nearly 20 years ago that first got us interested in a strengths-based approach. The 36.5% uplift in performance when a manager focuses on strengths, is significant. Natalie remembers at the time thinking ‘how is that possible?’ and ‘tell me more about that!’. And that started our deep interest, research and study into strengths as a way of enabling high performance.

Further comprehensive research from organisations such as Gallup has identified the benefits of a strengths-based approach. Just take a look at the figures below. In this global study Gallup studied over 49,000 business units across 45 countries.

What are strengths in the workplace?

When thinking about the definition of strengths, we use the definitions from Strengthscope founders Brewton and Brook. We’ve been using Strengthscope® profiles for many years now to enable managers to identify the strengths in themselves and others

Strengths are defined as those attributes or characteristics that energise us to enable high performance.

Brewton and Brook researched and discovered 24 workplace strengths that enable high performace. What’s great is that we don’t all have to be the same! It is our individual strengths and how we apply those strengths that make a difference. Importantly, strengths can be applied to teams to enable high performance. And, when featured in a performance review, have a positive empowering affect.

What coaching questions can I ask to focus on strengths during the performance review?

This topic is so important to us, we feature a module in our Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching (10834NAT) on the strengths-based coaching approach. Particularly, during the performance review.

When coaching a person to think about their strengths we can ask great coaching questions. Some of those questions include:

What are your strengths?
What energises you most about your job?
What gets you out of bed about your job?
How do you bring those strengths to the workplace?
What parts of your job play to your strengths the most?

We can use these questions as the basis of a discussion for the performance review. And at the same time review the person’s Strengthscope® Profile to enhance the conversation. Here’s a sneak peek at what the profile looks like.

What about weaknesses?

Whenever we talk about strengths, it’s not long until the next question comes up: what about weaknesses? Well, we are not ignoring weaknesses. Furthermore, we actually want to use our strengths to overcome our weaknesses. But there’s lots of information to share about that, so we will leave that topic for another blog.

Now is the time to focus on high quality conversations

Over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at key tips for the annual performance review. Furthermore, a framework to set those conversations up for success. Also, how to manage the trickier conversations. In addition, the performance development plan.

Yes, there’s a lot to catch up on if you’ve missed the Cafés recently. But you can do that via our blog or podcasts.

Perhaps you are involved in developing annual performance systems? Alternatively, coaching managers to coach their people? Perhaps you are a manager embarking on the annual performance review season? Or getting yourself ready for your own performance review? There is so many benefits to taking a coaching approach to the annual performance conversation. And we really hope that you’ve enjoyed this series and the webinar that we benefit from.

Join us on the Coaching Café

Without a doubt, one of the best things about our Coaching Café is the ability to learn from each other. We are so privileged to connect the Open Door Alumni (made up of past and present students) and all of you who read the blog. Or listen to us on the podcast.

We come together every Friday to explore and stretch our coaching knowledge and skills during the Coaching Cafe. It’s only 30 minutes, but it is a highlight of our week to discuss key topics with such a talented and insightful bunch of people.

This year we are super excited to feature Open Door Alumni, who are both experts and authors. So please contact us if you would like to be featured on the Coaching Café.

FREE Coaching Cafe Webinar

Every week our team of experts present “Coaching Cafe” webinar with topics for Managers, Leaders, Business Owners, and everyone who wants to be a better workplace coach, leading their teams to higher productivity, better outcomes and a happier, healthier workplace.